With a backdrop of a new governor and several new state lawmakers seated in the Illinois General Assembly, the credit union representatives will participate in the league's annual legislative day and reception kicking off today.

The league notes that the event affords attendees an improved window of opportunity for "face time" with local lawmakers. Other event highlights will include:

“The Role of Credit Unions in the Economy.” Credit unions are the backbone of the Illinois marketplace. State Sen. David Koehler (D-Peoria), who distinctly understands the credit union movement as board member at Peoria-based CEFCU, will provide this timely opening address;

Regulatory update. Attendees will learn what is on the mind of the state regulator straight from the agency’s new leadership, including Bryan Schneider, secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and Wade Cooper, Credit Union Section supervisor; and

The event also features a credit union legislation issues briefing, to provide tools credit unions need to effect change, and state Capitol visits to make the credit union case for legislative changes in person.

There also will be a reception, to which all 177 lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, plus constitutional officers and other dignitaries have been invited. The league event can be followed on Twitter via @IllinoisLeague with a hashtag of #ILGAC. The Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn its spring legislative session May 31.

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